Brand new Shapeoko 5 Pro 4x4.
I have ran one program on this new machine. The machine is loud/grinding when initializing the Y-Axis and now the steppers are not synchronized and the whole gantry is not moving at the same time. The left side of the gantry begins moving before the right side of the gantry.
The bearings do not sound happy, and I have oiled them and checked for binding.
I have a video, but it does not allow me to upload.
Please write in to support@carbide3d.com (I’m not seeing an open ticket) and we’ll do our best to work through that with you.
Thank you, I am compiling. I unplugged the steppers and the “grinding” goes away, so it’s not the bearings. The issue lies with the stepper motors.
E-mail sent earlier this morning.
I have had this happen and in fact it did last night. One of the Y steppers is working intermittently.
Check the connectors. Just push everyone of them on the controller side together, and jog the machine. One of our regulars binds them tightly using cable ties.
Thank you for the suggestion, but the motor feels like it is skipping steps. I’ve checked the connections and I don’t think they can be any better than they are.
That is EXACTLY what a loose connector feels like… a motor skipping steps.
Try using some WD40 or equivalent electrical connector product. Sometimes this helps with these issues.
Not sure what WD40 you are suggesting but the WD40 that is for penetrating oil and displacing water should not be used. WD40 works as a lubricant temporarily and then it gums up and on top of that is can be conductive. If you want electrical contact cleaner that is different. WD40 is more of a problem than it solves. After the WD40 dries it gums up and attracts dust.
WD40 is not compatible with a CNC or anything except as a penetrating oil or drying out an old distributor that got wet.
WD40 will clean the connector and provide a good connection for trouble shooting. Once this trouble shooting step is complete a suitable electric contact cleaner/protector should be applied for long term use.
I have used WD40 for a longtime and fully understand the WD stands for “water displacement”. It also stated ”removes and protects” on the can.
“WD40 works as a lubricant temporarily and then it gums up and on top of that is can be conductive.”
Your statement above say it can be conductive, which is what you want the circuit to do. Conduct the signal/voltage/current.
I’m not going to get into an argument over WD40. My point was to provide known troubleshooting steps to diagnose a specific condition. Once the condition is identified the correct fix can be applied.
